A Phantom of the Opera ballet and a Wicked-themed musical theatre piece were performed by 25 young students of a local dance school.

The students from The Dance Studio, which operates in St Albans and Harpenden, were taking part in First Class, a production by the company Class Talent at the Theatre Royal in London’s Drury Lane.

Principal of The Dance Studio, Miriam Bold, said she and the dancers have been rehearsing for weeks perfecting the routines and preparing props, make up and costumes for the performance.

She added: “When they stepped out on that stage I was so proud of them, they looked so professional and danced beautifully, I couldn’t have asked for any more.”